Urgent investigation launched by RD&E after patient records found on side of busy road

An urgent investigation has been launched by the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital Trust into how confidential patient records, which were being transported to Exeter from Torbay Hospital, ended up on the side of a road.

Two courier bags containing a small number of medical records were found by a member of the public on the A379 near Powderham Castle on Wednesday.

The RD&E Trust say they understand that their own courier service was being used to carry the documents.

They say they take patient confidentiality very seriously and are deeply concerned the packages had been found.

The incident has been referred to the Information Commissioner's Office, which is responsible for investigating data protection breaches.